High School Romance with The Malek Brothers

Chapter Forty Five.

Rami and I toweled off after our shower, again. I quickly dressed before his hands could touch me. I didn't want Rykie and Sami to think we were ignoring them. Plus part of me was curious to see who was at the front door. If Rami touched me, we'd never leave this bedroom today. There's always time for that later, I reasoned.

Rami was dressing in the bedroom while I brushed my teeth in the bathroom. I came out to join him and said, "let's find out who was at the door." He grabbed my hand and said, "wouldn't you rather see what happens on the bed?" He asked with a wicked grin. "Yes, you know that!" I playfully swatted him on the hand. "But we mustn't be rude. Let's at least go downstairs for a little while. OK?" I said. "All right. Whatever you wish." He said with a sigh, a small smile tugging at his lips.

I pulled him out of the bedroom with me. "Behave now, and we can get naughty, later." I whispered in his ear. He smiled widely at that.

In the kitchen, Rykie explained that her butler had returned from vacation. "He's been out of the country for two weeks, I forgot today was when he would be returning." She told us. "Where is he?" I asked timidly. Half hoping not to have to socialize. "He went to his room. He looked exhausted." Rykie said. Rami nodded. "What are you two up to?" Rami said, pulling out a chair at the table so he could sit. "Just reading the paper." Sami said. "Want the comics?" He added, teasing his brother. "Nah. I'm good." Rami shook his head. "I'll take them!" I said, reaching for the funnies. Sami laughed and handed them to me. "Here you go."

"I think I'll go check the mail now." Rykie said. "Anyone want to come with me?" She asked no one in particular. Rami shot up. "I'll go. I need a smoke." I frowned at this. Rami smoked? I never saw him do it before. Nor did his breath ever taste of cigarettes. He saw the expression on my face. "I'll brush my teeth." He shot in my direction. I shrugged my shoulders, my eyes on the comics. I felt like a fool. How did I just sleep, twice, with someone and not even know he smokes? Rami, reading my body language, walked back over to me. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you." He whispered. "It's a bad habit but it calms me. I don't smoke a full pack a day. Nothing like that. Just a few cigarettes here and there." He added. I smiled numbly, trying to keep my tears at bay. That's the thing, I'm super sensitive and I didn't know why, but hearing this new information just made me want to cry. "I love you." He kissed me on my head and then headed outside with Rykie.

I looked at Sami and saw that he felt bad. His expression softened. He put his hand on mine. "He likes you. That's just something he hasn't kicked. The smoking. I hate it too. But he's very meticulous about not smelling like a smoker. Which is why you didn't know, until now." I nodded, listening to Sami's words. "I'll be ok." I mumbled softly. He patted my hand and went back to his paper.

****

Rami trailed after Rykie outside. The mailbox was at the very front of the lawn, Rykie was about half a yard away. He jogged to catch up with her. "Can I bum a smoke?" He asked her. She popped out a box of cigarettes from her pocket. "Nice thinking." She lit hers first and then passed one to Rami along with her lighter. He lit up and took a long drag. He shook his head then. "Erika looked pissed. Do you think she's pissed with me?" Rami asked her. Rykie shook her head. "I think she was more hurt than anything else. We, as in women, don't like being lied to. She probably felt slightly betrayed. Just be honest with her." Rykie let out the smoke through her nostrils. Rami nodded. Taking another long drag.

As they approached the mailbox, Rami threw his cigarette down and stamped it out. He didn't want it anymore. The look on Erika's face said it all. He was going to quit.

Rykie reached inside of the mailbox. "Junk. It's all junk." She said as she sifted through the mail in her hands. Then her eyes landed on a larger sized envelope. It stuck out from the rest. The upper corner read UCLA. This peaked Rykie's attention and she tore into it.